Volunteer Host carers provide a very special opportunity to support and enhance the life of a young person with a disability, their family and primary carers.
The concept of the Host program involves a volunteer family or individual sharing their home and family life with a matched young person on a regular basis (traditionally 1 weekend per month) Carers will need to meet Interchange’s Occupational, Health and Safety Guidelines for your residence and immediate surrounds. Host Carers will need to satisfy all aspects of the Volunteer Assessment Process (Interviews, Police and Working with Children Checks, Referee, Medical and Home & Safety Checks).

Complete Interchange Volunteer Training processes.

Commit to the Program for a minimum of 12 months. (These visits can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly; for a day, overnight or for a weekend).

Agreement to provide regular planned respite care.

Key attributes: Reliable, respectful, caring, responsible, honest and trustworthy, a willingness to help others, Someone who enjoys interacting and engaging with others. Carers may be married, single with or without children. Demonstrate a genuine desire to make a positive contribution to the life of a young person with a disability and their family.

Rewards: Building positive relationships with members of the community. Developing transferrable skills e.g communication, problem solving, Meeting new people and making connections. Making a difference to the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.

Volunteer duties include: Complete and return promptly a Record of Care form after each visit. To liaise with the Parent/Guardian on a regular basis to plan ongoing visits with the young person. To maintain personal vehicle in a legally roadworthy condition at all times. To always transport Interchange participants in an Australian Standards approved vehicle restraint, appropriate for their age, size and weight. To ensure that any medication prescribed for the young person is taken as per the authorised medication plan. Where possible maintain consistency with the young person’s routine and management strategies. To communicate all areas of concern to the Parent/Guardians and/or Interchange Worker. Perform Volunteer role ethically and responsibly at all times within the policies, guidelines and principles of UMFC and Interchange. Keep the young person’s Care Needs forms accessible in a confidential and secure place. Ensure the information is updated and accurate through regular discussion with the young person’s parents.